Ben Nelson
Born 1941 · Age 84
American attorney, insurance executive and Democratic politician; Governor of Nebraska (1991–1999) and U.S. Senator from Nebraska (2001–2013).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in McCook, Nebraska
Earl Benjamin Nelson born in McCook, Nebraska, only child of Birdella and Benjamin Earl Nelson.
Achieved Eagle Scout
Attained the rank of Eagle Scout (exact year not stated; typical youth achievement in mid-teens).
Earned B.A., University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Received Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Earned M.A., University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Received Master of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Earned J.D., University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Received Juris Doctor (law degree) from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law.
Hired as Assistant General Counsel, Central National Insurance
After law school, took a job as assistant general counsel for Central National Insurance Group in Omaha.
Appointed Nebraska State Insurance Director
Appointed Director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance by Governor J. James Exon (served 1975–1976).
Returned to Central National as Executive VP
After the administration change, returned to Central National Insurance as executive vice president (later became president). Exact dates of promotions not specified.
Marriage to Diane (reported)
Reported marriage to Diane (sources vary; some biographies list Diane Gleason/Nelson). Exact public record year not on main Wikipedia article.
State chairman for Helen Boosalis gubernatorial campaign
Served as state chairman of Democrat Helen Boosalis's campaign for Nebraska governor.
Campaign opposition to low-level nuclear waste dump
During the 1990 campaign and his governorship Nelson opposed a proposed low-level nuclear waste dump in Nebraska; the dispute later resulted in a state lawsuit and a multihundred-million-dollar settlement.
Elected Governor of Nebraska (first run for office)
Narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Kay Orr in the 1990 Nebraska gubernatorial election. Vote for Nelson: 292,771 (49.91%).
Fiscal policy: reduced forecasted spending
During governorship cut spending from the previous administration by 64% relative to forecasts (credited with large fiscal restraint).
Inaugurated as 37th Governor of Nebraska
Took office as Governor of Nebraska; served two terms (1991–1999).
Safe Streets and Juvenile Crime legislation
Pushed crime reduction legislation including the Safe Streets Act and a Juvenile Crime Bill during his governorship.
Launched Kids Connection and welfare reforms
As governor advocated for low-income families via the Kids Connection health care system and enacted welfare reforms (exact dates during first term).
Re-elected Governor in landslide
Won reelection to a second term with 73.0% of the vote — the largest gubernatorial margin in Nebraska in half a century. Vote total: 423,270.
Ran for U.S. Senate (lost to Chuck Hagel)
Entered the 1996 U.S. Senate race for the seat vacated by Jim Exon and was upset by Republican Chuck Hagel. Nelson vote total: 281,904 (41.65%).
Term-limited as Governor; left office
Unable to seek reelection in 1998 due to term-limits; succeeded by Mike Johanns. Left governor's office January 7, 1999.
2000 campaign spending noted
Reportedly spent 50% more than opponent Don Stenberg; reported figure for Nelson's spending in the reference was $1,004,985 (campaign expenditure figure cited in sources).
Elected U.S. Senator from Nebraska
Won the open Senate seat after Bob Kerrey's retirement, defeating Attorney General Don Stenberg. Nelson received 353,093 votes (51.00%).
Took office as U.S. Senator
Began service in the U.S. Senate on January 3, 2001; served two terms (2001–2013).
Voted for 2001 federal tax cut
One of five Senate Democrats to vote for the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.
Voted for 2003 tax package
Supported the 2003 tax legislation that accelerated many 2001 provisions and added small-business benefits.
Lead Democratic member of 'Gang of 14' compromise
Was the lead Democratic senator in the Gang of 14 that forged a compromise on judicial filibusters and avoided the 'nuclear option'.
Endorsements from conservative-leaning groups (2006)
In 2006 Nelson received endorsements from NRA, Nebraska Right to Life, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business and other conservative-leaning groups.
National Journal places him among most conservative Democrats
National Journal vote ratings (2006) placed Nelson to the right of multiple Senate Republicans; he was noted as the most conservative Democrat in the Senate by some measures.
Voted to confirm Samuel Alito to Supreme Court
Became the first Democratic senator to support Samuel Alito's confirmation; he also was the only Democrat to vote to confirm Janice Rogers Brown (appellate) under the Gang of 14 agreement.
Re-elected to U.S. Senate in landslide
Defeated Pete Ricketts 63.88% to 36.12% with 378,388 votes; one of the largest margins for a Democratic Senate candidate in Nebraska since 1982.
Voted against cloture on Iraq pullout resolution
One of two Democratic senators to vote against invoking cloture on a resolution to withdraw most combat troops from Iraq in 2008 (vote 50–48).
Co-authored Iraq 'benchmarks' included in supplemental
Helped craft measurable benchmarks for progress in Iraq included in the Iraq supplemental bill to assess political reconciliation and security progress.
Earmark controversy raised by Sen. Tom Coburn
Sen. Coburn criticized earmarks Nelson had inserted into a 2007 defense bill alleging they benefited his son's employer; Nelson withdrew an amendment when new ethics rules were passed.
Introduced legislation to transition U.S. troops out of Baghdad
With Senators Susan Collins and John Warner introduced a bill calling for turning over internal security in Baghdad to Iraqi forces and shifting U.S. roles toward border and infrastructure protection.
Traveled to Iraq (fourth trip)
Visited Iraq as part of multiple fact-finding trips; his fourth trip was in September 2007 and influenced his views on transition strategies.
Nebraska Medicaid reimbursement ('Cornhusker Kickback') included
The Senate ACA initially included full federal reimbursement for Nebraska's Medicaid expansion costs — Congressional Budget Office estimated the Nebraska item would cost roughly $100 million.
Cast decisive cloture vote on Senate health-care bill
Nelson was the 60th senator to vote for cloture on the Senate version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (late 2009), a vote that ended a Republican filibuster and allowed passage of the Senate bill.
Estimated net worth (OpenSecrets/Ballotpedia)
Based on financial disclosure analysis (OpenSecrets/Ballotpedia) Nelson's 2010 net worth was estimated between $6,562,096 and $13,799,001 (average $10,180,548.50).
Nebraska Right to Life withdraws support (April)
Nebraska Right to Life publicly stated it would never again endorse Nelson after health-care votes (declared April 2010).
Voted against Elena Kagan Supreme Court confirmation
Nelson was the only Democratic senator to vote against Elena Kagan's confirmation, citing lack of a judicial record and concerns from Nebraskans.
Political fallout from health-care cloture vote
Nelson's approval ratings in Nebraska dropped sharply after the cloture vote; polls showed major declines and he lost key endorsements (Nebraska Right to Life announced in April 2010 it would no longer endorse him).
Voted against final reconciliation bill (Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act)
Although his cloture vote in December 2009 allowed Senate passage of the earlier version, Nelson voted against the reconciliation bill in March 2010 citing concerns (e.g., student loan provisions).
Honored as Distinguished Eagle Scout (statue/event)
A statue and recognition honored Ben Nelson as a Distinguished Eagle Scout (media coverage in 2010).
Voted for Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act
Nelson voted with Democrats for the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act (vote recorded December 18, 2010).
Senate staff pay (FY2011)
Congressional staff payroll for Nelson's Senate office totaled $2,489,798 in 2011 (LegiStorm data).
Senate committee assignments and subcommittee chairmanships (2011–2012)
Served on Appropriations, Armed Services, Agriculture, and Rules and Administration committees; chaired Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative Branch and the Strategic Forces Subcommittee on Armed Services.
American Conservative Union rating (2012)
American Conservative Union rated Nelson's overall performance at 48% in 2012 — the highest of any Democratic senator that year.
Did not seek re-election in 2012
Announced he would not run for a third Senate term in 2012; his term ended Jan 3, 2013 and he was succeeded by Republican Deb Fischer.
Post-Senate estimated net worth
After leaving the Senate and taking the NAIC role (and reported $1M payment), net worth estimated (approximate) around $11 million (aggregate estimate; not an official figure).
Left U.S. Senate; succeeded by Deb Fischer
Nelson's Senate term ended on January 3, 2013; he was succeeded by Republican Deb Fischer.
Voted for Fiscal Cliff compromise
Voted in favor of the fiscal cliff compromise bill that made many Bush-era tax cuts permanent and raised rates on highest incomes (Senate passed Jan 1, 2013).
Named CEO of National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Appointed chief executive officer of the NAIC, the U.S. organization coordinating state insurance regulatory agencies (press release Jan 22, 2013).
Reported $1M 'payday' in connection with NAIC role
Media reported Nelson received approximately $1,000,000 related to his post-Senate NAIC position (signing/compensation reported by The Hill).
Announced departure as NAIC CEO
Reports (Omaha World-Herald) indicated Nelson was leaving his role as CEO of NAIC; departure effective January 2016.
Left NAIC and returned to private law practice
Left the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and returned to private law practice in Nebraska and Washington, D.C.
Key Achievement Ages
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